Analog synths were once massive, temperamental monsters, but the Korg monotron proves that big things now come in small packages. The true analog monotron synthesizer fits in your pocket and makes it possible for you to play anytime, anyplace.

Although it is small enough to hold in one hand, the Korg monotron synth delivers enormous, dazzling sounds. The controls have been streamlined for ease of use—concentrating on the most important sound parameters, the panel contains only five knobs and one switch. With this level of simplicity, now anyone can easily enjoy the world of analog synthesizers. It's simply a blast to play.

Ribbon controller keyboard offers easy expressionBorrowing the enjoyment of performing with a simple touch from Korg's wildly popular KAOSS products, the monotron synth's ribbon controller keyboard takes this ease of use even farther. Simple finger gestures can produce expressive effects such as vibrato and glide.

1VCO, 1VCF, 1LFO - Modular synthesis building blocksThe Korg monotron's circuit is radically simple: one voltage-controlled oscillator, one voltage-controlled filter, and one low frequency oscillator. As a result, the process of sound creation is intuitive, and instantly understandable. And it's tons of fun. This Korg synth provides the joy of sonic creativity that's at the heart of analog synthesis.

The famous Korg filterThis Korg synthesizer starts with the same highly acclaimed VCF circuit as KORG's classic MS-10 and original MS-20 semi-modular synths, and adds extra oomph to the resonance. Originally released over 30 years ago, these synthesizers are still coveted today for their aggressive, dynamic filters. The VCF Cutoff knob sets the frequency or tone of the filter; the VCF Peak (resonance) knob adds emphasis.

Semi modular satisfactionJust as on the original MS-20, the monotron's filter can be patched into, allowing any external audio source to be processed by the monotron's filter. The input jack (AUX input) built into the Korg synthesizer's compact body inserts the AUX input into the signal path right before the VCF. This provides a great way to connect a KAOSSILATOR, a keyboard, a guitar, a digital audio player or even an unmixed track to the Korg monotron synth and enjoy tone-bending filter effects.

Versatile LFO provides audio and visual excitementThe LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) can affect either the oscillator pitch or the filter cutoff. Both the speed and the intensity are individually adjustable, so you can create anything from a gentle vibrato to swooping tone changes of galactic proportions. As you turn the LFO Rate knob—featuring an embedded LED—the speed of the modulation effect and the speed of the blinking LED will change in tandem.

Listen anywhere—alone or with friendsThe ultimate in compactness, the Korg monotron synth includes a built-in miniature speaker. Along with the battery operation, this feature allows you to enjoy the monotron everywhere. There's also a headphone output that you can use when creating sounds at home, for recording, or for connecting to an amplifier or PA system. When used, it cuts off the speaker so you get personal monitoring or so that you get the full effect of your larger speaker system.

FEATURES

Korg synth features the same classic analog filter found in the legendary Korg MS-10 & MS-20

When I saw the box that this piece of gear came it I was shocked. I had no idea it was as small as it is, but it packs some interesting things into it's...Read complete review

When I saw the box that this piece of gear came it I was shocked. I had no idea it was as small as it is, but it packs some interesting things into it's size. If your a fan of old school analog synths this is certainly a must. It is limiting in the sense that there is no MIDI and there are only an eigth inch aux imput and a eigth inch head phone output. The ribbon controller is fun but only for a little while. It has a look and style of the old stylaphones. For as little as it is you can get some really awesome low end sounds and hi end leads. Not much in the mid range, it's there but gets a little flat. I do recommend it though.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

Useless piece of plastic gibberish

No midi I/O, one headphone output. Even worse than the kaossilator. I'm telling you this, go to your store, ask someone to take it out of the box and play around...Read complete review

No midi I/O, one headphone output. Even worse than the kaossilator. I'm telling you this, go to your store, ask someone to take it out of the box and play around for 5 minutes, you, yourself will realize how useless this thing is. This purchase will not only not bring you any profit for your track but will be considered as "the" most useless musical purchase you have ever done. Not buying this is your best decision.

Works great! just record a sound from the monotron using a audio interface into your DAW and wa-la, I was able to get a decent sound out of it,although it can do noise very well. I don't write dance beats, I write some kind of fast paced music like a guitarist shredding.It's cheap in price and great for anyone, its not a toy if you know how to use this synth and it is very portable. I have small fingers but I still need one of those pens to make a rhythm. and last, I customized mine by spray painting it!

Excellent introduction to analog synth. Built in speaker sucks but hook it up to an amp and it really grinds. Lots of sounds can be created. Ribbon keys are somewhat lame but functional (just don't expect keyboard playability). The mod potential and sound is where the Korg is worth the reasonable price. I was hesitant, but really glad I bought the monotron.

It is a remarkably powerful synth for the tiny package and price, but the pathetically bad ribbon controller limits it to nothing more than a noise maker. It is not possible to play even a very simple melody. If you just want to fool around, make some dubstep, or use the filter as an effect, it will work well. But you can't make music with it.

Overall, this is a neat toy to experiment with, although the possibilities seem somewhat limited.It has a good amount of tweaking you can do with the knobs and the aux in is useful if you want to apply the Monotrons filtering to another sound source.This is the second Monotron I've had and I can say that both were noisy, both through the built-in speaker and using nice headphones. The build quality of the unit feels ok, not great.This is a good value if you can pick one up on sale, with a rebate, or if you have a real use for it. I bought one just to play with because the price was right.

this thing is great!!! i was looking for a synthesizer to do some creepy sounds with. for a good price. when it showed up to my house i was shocked at how small it was i take it every where! if you get the settings just right you can get some pretty awesome sounds!!!

When I saw the box that this piece of gear came it I was shocked. I had no idea it was as small as it is, but it packs some interesting things into it's size. If your a fan of old school analog synths this is certainly a must. It is limiting in the sense that there is no MIDI and there are only an eigth inch aux imput and a eigth inch head phone output. The ribbon controller is fun but only for a little while. It has a look and style of the old stylaphones. For as little as it is you can get some really awesome low end sounds and hi end leads. Not much in the mid range, it's there but gets a little flat. I do recommend it though.

So i bought this just so i could have something to mess around with at school, and at first, i hated it. It's fun, but not that fun. After a while it became a little bit more fun, but you really have to appreciate analogs to like it. If you want a cheap, live, and LOW bass drop, it can come in handy with an EQ. I hooked it up and turned the bass up, and the high down (it was really noisy) and it worked very well. Try one, you'll see.

I got this little guy a couple months back and it's been an amazing piece of equipment. It took me awhile to get the right cable for it so I could plug into my amp, but that didn't stop me from running it into my headphones. I've gotten some amazing kick drum sounds, a few fat bass sounds, and some crazy leads. It doesn't have any presets, but I love that. I find it more entertaining to actually make my own sounds as opposed to using one somebody else made. This piece will find a permanent home in my rig, and my guitarist is even debating getting one for himself. Also this piece can be a serious tool if you know what you're doing, and aren't going to let it's lack of MIDI or presets get in your way.

Don't be deceived by screechy demos or the sound from the built-in speaker. This little bugger can be very musical in the right hands. Not much in the way of features, but that's its charm. Twiddle the knobs a bit and you can go from screaming leads to deep bass drums to techno-arps.

I know it's not the most versatile or useful synth ever, but considering that, it's probably one of the funest synths around. It's got a great filter, and the ribbon controller is pretty amusing.. I like to tune it to a keyboard so I can jam a little too. And if you work with it a little it makes some great bass drum or hi hat noises. Overall lots o fun